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2026 INSTITUTE

2026 Call for Education Sessions

 Call for Education Sessions

For the

The 70th Southwest Park and Recreation Training Institute

The Southwest Park and Recreation Training Institute is inviting professionals to share ideas and experiences at the 70th Southwest Park and Recreation Training Institute, February 2-4, 2026. We are seeking original, thought-provoking proposals that will enable attendees to share with and learn from one another about innovative practices and emerging trends impacting the broad field of Parks and Recreation.

Sessions should incorporate educational methods, provide replicable hands-on knowledge, and demonstrate measurable outcomes and results. Sessions will offer CEU credits and are intended to educate and support learning.

Session proposals will be accepted until June 1, 2025 and are encouraged to be submitted as soon as possible.

Information on the history and legacy of the Institute is available at   https://amzn.to/40M3LxC 

DOWNLOAD SESSION PROPOSAL FORM

70th Institute – February 1-4, 2026

We look forward to seeing everyone at Sequoyah State Park to celebrate our 70th Institute.

Watch for upcoming updates in the next few months

2026 Registration

  • Opens – August 11, 2025
  • Early Registration Ends – December 12, 2025
  • Registration Closes – January 21, 2026

REGISTER TODAY!

SPONSOR & EXHIBITORS REGISTRATION

SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS

Renewable Student Scholarships

Student scholarships are awarded to outstanding undergraduate and graduate students preparing for a career in the park and recreation profession. The scholarships are a cash award ($1,000 for Undergraduate Student and $1,500 Graduate Student) that are presented to the respective universities in the spring semester for use by the recipient. In addition to the cash award, the Institute provides registration along with room and board for the recipient to attend the Southwest Park and Recreation Training Institute in early February. Three undergrad and one graduate scholarship will be awarded.  This scholarship is now renewable and can be received more than once.

The application period begins March and extends through May 1. Scholarship applications are transmitted to universities within the eight-state region of the SWPRTI network. Included in this network are those universities and colleges that offer Parks and Recreation degree program or related degree that directly impacts the parks and recreation profession.

Professional Training Grant

For individuals currently working in the Park and Recreation industry, the professional training grant offers the opportunity to attend the Institute at no expense except travel.
The grant covers the cost of registration, with room and board, for the entire Institute training conference. In return, each recipient will be assigned to a committee during the Institute for four (4) hours to help out with various duties and other networking opportunities.

Applications are due to Greg Snider at gregsnider62@gmail.com by October 25, 2024

For questions…Contact Greg Snider at gregsnider62@gmail.com

DOWNLOAD GRANT APPLICATION

Entertainment and Social Activities

Sunday, February 2, 2025

4:00-5:00pm – Orientation

7:30pm – Brag Night

Monday, February 3, 2025

5:30p.m. Fun Run – After sitting all day come out and join us for the annual fun run/walk.  Everyone is encouraged to participate.

Following Dinner: Annual SWPRTI Auction –  Bring your pocket book and help support SWPRTI. All money collected goes back to SWPRTI 100%.

Tuesday, February 5, 2025

5:30-6:30pm– Presidents’ Reception

TOMA PROGRAM – Brag Night

Brag Night – Sunday evening after dinner

Brag Night is unique to the Southwest Park and Recreation Training Institute. It is an informal evening session designed to allow anyone attending the conference an opportunity to share ideas, programs, and experiences with their peers.

Participants are encouraged to display or communicate their experience with an audience, in other words, “bragging” on their ideas, programs and experiences!

All presentations are placed in one of the following categories so that the TOMA Award may be awarded to the highest rated presentation in each category.

Creative Project

  • This category may be from 5 to 10 minutes long
  • Includes topics such as;
    • Construction projects
    • Site Improvements
    • Park updates or installations
    • Irrigation systems, or any project (large or small) that you are proud of
  • This presentation may be a video and/or slides with narration
    • Videos are to be in-house productions.

Innovative Program

  • Presentations should be 5 to 15 minutes long
  • This category will address such topics as:
    • Innovative maintenance programs or techniques
    • Creative funding strategies
    • Recreation programs
    • any program that you have put together and want to share with the Institute
  • This presentation may be a video and/or slides with narration
    • Videos are to be in-house productions.

PSA / Promotional

  • Presentations should be 1-10 minutes long
  • This category is for public service announcements (PSA’s) and promotional videos
  • These presentations may consist of anything that you want to promote or announce such as:
    • A new water parks
    • Festivals
    • Public functions
    • Zoos
    • Track meets
    • Composting
    • Recycling
    • Anything else you wish to promote

Any question regarding Brag Night should be directed to Rick Ewing, Brag Night Chair,  at rewing@muskogeeparks.org

Scheduling

Brag Night will be held on Sunday night of the conference, following dinner.  Refreshments will be served at Brag Night.

Participants should pre-register when signing into the conference as you arrive.  There will be a registration form for the participants located at the conference Registration Table.  Participants are asked to complete this form so the Brag Night Chair can better schedule times for presentations.

Equipment

Participants should furnish the necessary equipment for their presentations, except for the microphone, sound equipment and projector, which are normally furnished by the Institute.

Judging

Committee will designate representative who will judge all presentations.  Further explanation of the judging will be done at the opening of the Brag Night session.

Award

Presentations of award for each category’s winner will be made at the annual banquet on Tuesday evening.  The TOMA Award, which is a traveling trophy, will be presented as well as a plaque for you to keep for years to come.

Thank You to Our
2025 Institute Sponsors

PRESENTING SPONSOR

GOLD SPONSOR

SILVER SPONSORS